Edward L. Ryerson in the Amherstburg Channel

The steamer Edward L. Ryerson, an American Great Lakes bulk carrier, shown upbound in the Amherstburg Channel of the Detroit River on July 15, 2008. They are "in ballast" (without cargo) heading up to Superior, Wisconsin to load approximately 27,500 tons of iron ore for Hamilton, Ontario.

The Ryerson was launched in 1960 for the Inland Steel Corp. and is exactly 730 feet long, the maximum size a Laker can be to fit through the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway. She was out of service from 1998 through 2006 but increased demand in the Lakes ore trade brought her back out, despite the fact that she lacks self-unloading equipment common on most Lake boats. The Ryerson, which is operated by Central Marine Logistics on behalf of steel giant ArcelorMittal, draws attention wherever she goes thanks to her powerful, streamlined appearance and a dedicated captain and crew who are eager to give whistle salutes and waves to everyone on shore.

Sorry the video cuts out before her stern gets completely past - my camera can only shoot 1-min. video clips.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Great
• Lakes
• freighter
• Edward
• L.
• Ryerson
• Detroit
• River
• Amherstburg

[charlesbonkley]

Way to record the entire ship. All that effort to get in front...

[BKNorthbound]

@charlesbonkley This was three years ago with a camera that was three years old at the time, and could only record 60-second chunks of video. Sure wish I could re-create this moment in HD someday, but the Ryerson sadly hasn't sailed since 2009.

[bnsfMAN93]

Does this mean that there is a hullet unloader to unload this?

[BKNorthbound]

Nope, there aren't any operational full-size Hulletts left on the Lakes...she unloads with bridge cranes, usually in Hamilton, Indiana Harbor, or Quebec.

[charlesbonkley]

@BKNorthbound OK, OK. I will give you credit for the effort! After all, the Ryerson was moving pretty fast. And perhaps if the economy ever picks back up enough where more raw materials are needed, then the Ryerson will go back in service. We'll just have to wait and see...

[Fozzymaple]

@WatchdogDisciple Very true, but the Cort is an exception

[WatchdogDisciple]

@Fozzymaple except for the Cort.

[WatchdogDisciple]

@kd8ux Big Fitz is the true queen.

[gunnz23]

@fykis519 "Amherstburg Channel of the Detroit River "

[DevynYoshi]

@kd8ux

She carries top quality ore because they needed more reliable hulls. She aint' going nowhere. She suits them just fine.

[kd8ux]

I wish they would convert her to a self unloader.It's only a matter of time before they scrap her...I hope not,she's the queen of the lakes.

[Scioneer]

She's moving by at a decent pace for such a big ship.